Exhibit 99.1

PRESS RELEASE                                    CONTACT:  Rosemarie A. Romano
April 29, 2004                                             Corporate Secretary
                                                               (203) 786-8659


         SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC. TO ORGANIZE COMMERCIAL BANK
                            DE NOVO IN NEW LONDON, CT

         On April 28, 2004, the State of Connecticut issued to the organizers of
The Bank of  Southeastern  Connecticut a Temporary  Certificate  of Authority to
complete the  organization  of the bank.  The bank, to be located in New London,
Connecticut,  is  being  organized  as a  wholly-owned  subsidiary  of  Southern
Connecticut Bancorp, Inc. ("SCB"). Under the Temporary Certificate of Authority,
the organizers are granted a period of 18 months to complete the steps necessary
for the  issuance of a Final  Certificate  of  Authority.  These  steps  include
raising a minimum equity capital of $6 million, obtaining deposit insurance from
the FDIC,  obtaining  the  approval of the Banking  Commissioner  for the bank's
directors  and  executive  officers,  and  establishing  a main office  location
acceptable to the Banking Commissioner.

         SCB is preparing  the  necessary  applications  to the FDIC for deposit
insurance for the bank and to the Federal  Reserve Board for approval for SCB to
acquire the new bank.  Subject to receipt of approval of these  applications and
satisfaction  of the additional  steps outlined in the Temporary  Certificate of
Authority,  SCB expects that The Bank of Southeastern  Connecticut will open for
business during the fourth quarter of 2004.


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         Southern  Connecticut  Bancorp,  Inc. is also the parent of The Bank of
Southern  Connecticut  located in New Haven,  Connecticut.  The Bank of Southern
Connecticut,  which opened on October 1, 2001, reported assets of $65,426,000 at
the end of March 31, 2004.




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